William Allen (VC 1879)

William Allen (1843-12 March 1890) was a British Army sergeant who received the Victoria Cross for his actions at the 1879 Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War.

Biography
William Wilson Allen was born in Kyloe, Northumberland, England in 1843, and he joined the 24th Regiment of Foot at Aldershot in 1859. He was deployed to South Africa during the Anglo-Zulu War, and he was demoted from Sergeant to Corporal for being drunk on duty. During the Battle of Rorke's Drift on 22-23 January 1879, Allen helped to protect the mission's hospital despite being seriously wounded, and his heroic actions led to him being awarded with the Victoria Cross and a promotion to Sergeant. He died of influenza in 1890.